<$50k, what do you get?

[BimmerM3]

PS BMW did one hell of a price raise on the 135i to the point where I don't see why the discerning shopper shouldn't just splurge for the 1M. Retarded...

Because there will only be 1000 1Ms and the press from the 1M has probably increased demand for the other 1ers.

[Raza]

So what exactly is wrong with the RX-8's performance?

0-60 in the 6 sec range, 1/4-mile times in the upper 14 sec range, RWD, and by all accounts is a good handler and refined. All that for under $30k? What's wrong with that?

It's the performance/gas mileage trade-off for daily driving.  Something like a GTI offers a much better package for daily driving, while still being plenty quick and fun to drive.